Roberto di Matteo has been approached by Reading to become their new manager, it was reported today.

The Italian has been out of the game since he was sacked by Chelsea in November and the Reading Post claims the Royals are interested in him as a successor to Brian McDermott, who was axed yesterday.

Reading are said to be ready to offer a deal until 2015 but it remains to be seen whether the Italian would be willing to join a club who could be in the Championship next season, given that it is only 10 months since he led Chelsea to their first Champions League title.

The Post also said Reading owner Anton Zingarevich will sound out former West Ham midfielder Paolo di Canio, who quit Swindon last month after a successful reign there.

Zingarevich decided to sack McDermott even though the former Arsenal player was named manager of the month in January.

The final straw was Saturday’s defeat to fellow strugglers Aston Villa which left the club 19th in the table with only goals scored keeping them ahead of bottom side Queens Park Rangers.

McDermott guided the club into the Premier League for only the second time in their history last season and his departure, after 12 years at Reading, shocked the squad.

Jason Roberts said: “He’s a football man and a good man and I just think at this moment in time we take stock of what he has achieved and place on record our thanks.”

Fellow striker Noel Hunt tweeted: “He’s been a great manager, man and friend to me and will be missed!”